AppFolio Wins
Winner
AppFolio logo

AppFolio

8.5

Mid-market property management companies (50-5,000+ units) that want a modern interface with strong automation and marketing tools

VS
Rent Manager logo

Rent Manager

8.1

Mid-to-large property managers with diverse, mixed-use portfolios who need deep customization and enterprise-grade accounting

Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

Score Comparison

Criteria
AppFolio
Rent Manager
Overall Score
8.5
8.1
Core Features
9.5
9.5
Accounting & Reporting
8.5
9.5
Ease of Use
8.5
6.0
Pricing & Value
6.5
6.0
Tenant & Owner Portals
9.0
8.0
Integrations
8.0
8.0
Scalability
9.5
9.5
Customer Support
7.5
8.5

Pricing & Features

Specification
AppFolio
Rent Manager
Starting Price
$70/mo
$200/mo
Pricing Model
Subscription
Subscription

Making Your Decision

AppFolio logo

When to Choose AppFolio

Mid-market property management companies (50-5,000+ units) that want a modern interface with strong automation and marketing tools

AppFolio is the gold standard for mid-market property managers who want speed, a modern interface, and AI-powered automation. Its 50-unit minimum and annual contracts mean it is not suitable for small landlords, but for growing management companies it delivers exceptional capability per dollar.

Strengths

  • Modern, intuitive interface with AI-powered leasing automation and marketing tools
  • Scales from 50 units to 5,000+ with tiered Core, Plus, and Max plans
  • Excellent tenant and owner portals with mobile-first experience
  • Handles residential, commercial, student housing, and community associations

Limitations

  • 50-unit minimum locks out smaller landlords entirely
  • Hidden onboarding fees and required annual contract add to total cost
  • Reporting and ledger customization trails legacy platforms like Yardi and Rent Manager
Rent Manager logo

When to Choose Rent Manager

Mid-to-large property managers with diverse, mixed-use portfolios who need deep customization and enterprise-grade accounting

Rent Manager is one of the most feature-rich and flexible property management systems available, backed by nearly four decades of development. Its power comes at the cost of a dated UI and a steep learning curve. Best for experienced operators managing diverse property types who need depth over simplicity.

Strengths

  • Extremely deep feature set with 450+ built-in reports and full double-entry accounting
  • Handles all property types — residential, commercial, self-storage, manufactured housing, and short-term stays
  • Dedicated customer success teams, Rent Manager University training, and comprehensive knowledge base
  • Longest track record in the industry (37+ years) with continuous modern development

Limitations

  • Interface feels dated with more clicks than necessary for everyday tasks
  • Steep learning curve — requires significant training investment for new teams
  • Add-on fees and per-user charges make total cost less transparent than advertised

Ready to Get Started?

Rent Manager logo

Rent Manager

Score: 8.1